Three Whisky Ads I Really Like

by Oliver Klimek on May 11, 2012

More than once I have been grumpy about whisky marketing stunts, like the Jura Psychic, Highland Park Thor or Macallan’s Ice Ball Machine. But his does not mean I dislike marketing or advertising per se. I just have a bullshit allergy. But here are three examples of campaigns that I honestly enjoy.

1. The Islay Alligator

I am not a huge fan of Ardbeg’s marketing in general. It is often loud, and most of the time it is pretty gimmicky like the recent Ardbeg in Space stunt. But they do have a sense of humour in their marketing department, and this satirical take on the legends often associated with whisky in a more serious manner is simply adorable.

2. The Man Who Walked Around The World

I don’t care if this is from Diageo, the Dark Empire of Whisky, whose beer branch just shot their own knees by attempting to refuse an award to Brewdog. This five minute spot is one of the best advertising spots I have ever seen, and certainly the best for whisky. Just a man walking and telling the story of the brand, a few props, the camera simply following him without any cuts. Perfect timing, looking so easy but incredibly difficult to make. Reduced to the max. If just everything in this business was so simple…

3. My Glenfarclas, Your Glenfarclas

George S. Grant of Glenfarclas posing like a glamour model with his whiskies. This ad is just brilliant. It is showing the middle finger to quite a few of his competitors, from wine cask wizards to wannabe luxury brands playing high roller in the global markets. Back to the basics is the message here which I can only approve of.